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ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO. 



The Story of the Battle of Coavpens. 



THE CAROl.IXAS IN 17S0— A GLANXE AT THE MILITARY SITUATION- 
MORGAN'S COMMAND— THE CHAIN OF EVENTS AS SHOWN IN LET- 
TERS OF GREENE, MORGAN, PICKENS, RUTLEDGE AND OTHERS, 
HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED. 



{From The AVrcv and Courier, Charleston, S. C, May 10, fSSi.) 



To the thoughtful attention of Mr. T. Bailey 
Myers, of New York, one of the closest stu- 
dents of our Revolutionary History, we are 
indebted for the subjoined sketch of the mili- 
tary situation in the Ca/olinas in 17S0, fol- 
lowed by a number of letters from the collec- 
tion of Mr. Myers, which have not hitherto 
been published. In these letters the whole 
-Jorious tale is told, and the Patriots and 
Royalists of a century ago live and move be- 
fore us. The interest Mr. Myers has taken 
in adding to the literature of the celebra- 
lion to-morrow, by placing these records 
it our service, will be, we are sure, highly ap- 
preciated by all the readers of The Nkws 
AND Courier : 

The Carolinas seemed to become, by a chain 
of events, the debatable ground upon which 
the result of the struggle for Independence 
was to be determined. The fall of Charles- 
ton, and General Lincoln's unavoidable sur- 
render, as he had decided to bold it, had 
■'pened the door to the invaders, ft-om the 
South as well as the North, and Sir Henry 
v'Unton had entrusted to Lord Cornwallis, 
a7i experienced, brave and cautious veteran, 
the task of completing the conquest, by a 



march from the one to the other, subjugatin? 
all that he passed through, or as he would 
see it, of restoring it to its allegiance '^.o 
had advanced in .June, 17S0, into South Car- 
olina with a small but efficient force, con- 
fronted by the gallant old Baron de Kalb 
with such small detachments as Oontcress 
could spare from her active operations at the 
North, where the war had long been waging, tf> 
I which were added the militia of the country 
I and the detached commands of its eflicie"*- 
I partisan leaders, the last councerbalanced 
I in part by the rallying of the Tories after 
Charleston had fallen. All these details .are 
familiar to every Southern reader, and have 
been ably recorded by their historians and 
elucidated by such printed testimony as 
that of Moultrie, Green and Lee. They 
are only alluded tu <*s a necessary preface to 
some important records of the past which 
bear upon events about to be commemorated 
at the end of a century by the descendants 
of those who participated in them, or in 
whose neighborhood they occurred. His- 
tory, like a mine, may be often dug over 
without being entirely exhausted. It is the 
intention of the compiler merely to present 



some crude ore that ho has been so fortunate 
as to have become possessed of, (properly, if by- 
chance,) leaving to the orator or the histori- 
ographer of the Cowpeus Centennial the 
agreeable duty of refining it into useful 

metal. 

Congress considering the readiest means 
of success, perhaps with little appreciation 
of DeKalb's merit, as subsequently devel- 
oped and known amongst military men in 
Europe, selected their recently successful 
hero. General Horatio Gates, to succeed him. 
Educated in the same school with Corn- 
wallis, and equally experienced in arms, it 
was held that his conquest would gracefully 
supplement that of his other former asso- 
ciate, Burgoyne. Gates hastened to his new 
duty, only stopping to push forward rein- 
forcements and supplies; reached the army 
on the 2oth of July, 17S0, pressed forward 
two days later to meet the invader, and on 
the 16th of August was swept from the dis- 
astrous field of Camden by a cloud of fugi- 
tives he could not stem, a defeated com- 
mander and a man of broken professional 
fortune. Various opinions have been held 
of the formation for the battle, his merits 
ac p. soldier, even of his personal courage, of 
his ambition and his schemes; but all admit 
his fascinations as a gentleman. Ho held a 
distinguished social position, arrayed around 
him troops of friends amongst men of note, 
and when he died, .widely regretted, at an 
advanced age, left many namesakes as 
tokens of his popularity. His official letter- 
book during the period of this command, 
lately exhumed from his muniment box 
where he had placed it with his commis- 
sions and military papers, nearly a century 
ago, is now carefully preserved in Dr. 
Thomas Addis Emmett's exhaustive 
collection of American History; and 
through his kindness, much of it was 
printed in the October (Gates) number of the 
■'Magazine of American History." The com- 
piler of this paper, long the friend and asso- 
ciate in kindred pursuits of its present 
owner, was so fortunate as to have had (with 
the exception of the Editor) the only reading 
of the complete manuscripts, and to be 
therefore able to certify that, in his judg- 
ment, although the prediction of the epi- 



^. 



grammatic General Charles I.ee, that "his 
Saratoga laurels would be turned into South- 
ern willows" proved true, it ai)pears impos- 
sible, from the contents, that he rushed into 
battle, as history has generally claimed, 
without preparation, relying on prestige and 
not on prudence for success. Tlie labor and 
detail of these letters, and their foresights 
of wants, embarrassments and ditficultiee, 
are everywhere shown in earnest appeals to 
Congress, to Governors of adjacent States, 
officers, contractors, agents entrusted with 
property, to Caswell and other commanders 
of detachments. They show, in a word, the 
work of a man conscious of and seeking to 
remove the difficulties incident to his new 
duty. If, as it has been stated, liis hair grew 
gray as he fled to Clermont, Charlotte and 
Hillsboro', riding eighty miles in a day, 
letters written on his way and on his 
arrival, providing for a rally and new 
efforts, show that his head was not in 
sympathy with his heels, and that he 
may have lost his prestige but not his dis- 
cretion. This digression must be excused by 
a desire to suggest an injustice in accepted 
history near where its causes occurred. A 
success at Camden might have deprived 
botii Cowpens and Yorktown of their signifi- 
cance as decisive battles of the Eevolntion. 

On the 4th of December following. Gen. 
Nathaniel (ii-eeue arrived with the approval 
of both Washington and Congress, whose con- 
fidence his merits had already won, to stem 
the torrent by which Gates had been over- 
whelmed. He had left Baron Steuben in 
command in Virginia as a careful purveyor 
and forwarder of supplies, and the only 
Generals with him then were Smallwood 
and Morgan. He seems to have taken at 
once vigorous measures to restore the morale 
of his army, and to increase its efficiency, 
sparing Morgan — a tried soldier from Quebec 
to Saratoga — for a detachment, which al- 
though apparently attended with risk, in 
the tactics it forced vpon the eneniy in turn, 
was an early evidence of that military 
sagacity which has given Greene so dis- 
tinguished a place as a military commander. 
A few days after his arrival he addressed 
this letter, copied from the original and the 
first of a*iew connected with the Battle ot 
Cowpens, selected from his correspondence, 
fuller in reference to other details thau on 
this, and all unprinted heretofore to the 
compiler's knowledge : 

GREENE TO MOKGAN — THE DETACHED COM- 
MAND FORMED WHICH WOX COWPENS. 

Sir : You are appointed to the command of 
a corps of Light Infantry, a» detachment of 
Militia, and Lt. Col. Washington's Regiment 
of Light Dragoons. With these troops you 
will proceed to the West side of the Catawba 



river, wliere you will be joined by a body of 
Volunteer Militia under the command of 
Brig. Gen). Davidson of this State, and by 
the Militia lately under the command of 
Brig. Genl. Sumter. This force, and such 
others as may join you from Georgia, you 
will employ against the enemy on the West 
side of the Kiver, either offensively or de- 
fensively as your own prudence and discre- 
tion may direct, acting with caution, and 
avoiding surprizes by every possible precau- 
tion. For the present I give you the entire 
command in that quarter, and do hereby re- 
quire all Officers and Soldiers engaged in the 
American cause to be subject to your orders 
and command. The object of this detach- 
ment is to give protection to that part of the 
country and spirit up the people — to annoy 
the enemy in that (juarter, — collect the pro- 
visions and forage out of the way of the 
enemy, which you will have formed into a 
number of small magaziues, in or near the 
position you may think proper to take. You 
will prevent plundering as much as possible, 
and be as careful of your provisions and for- 
age as may be, giving receipts for whatever 
you take, to all such as are friends to the 
independence of America. Should the enemy 
move in force towards the Pedee, where this 
Army will take a position, you will move in 
such direction as to enable you to join me if 
necessary, or to fall ujjon the flank or into 
the rear of the enemy as occasion may re- 
quire. You will spare no pains to get good 
intelligence of the Enemy's situation, and 
keep me constantly advertized of both your 
and their movements. You will appoint for 
the time being a Quarter Master, Commis- 
sary and Forage Master, who will follow 
your instructions in their several lines. 

Confiding in your abilities and activity, I 
entrust you with this command, being per- 
suaded you will do every iijinj'. in your 
power to distress the #iiemy and a5ord pro- 
tection to the country. 

(.riven undf. my band at Charlotte, this 
Ifith of December, 1780. 

Nath. Greene. 

To Brigr. Genl. Morgan. 



town, and is on his march to Camden. Ilis 
force is about 2,000, perhaps something less. 
I also am informed Lord Cornwallis has col- 
lected his troops at Camden. You will 
watch their motions very narrowly, and take 
care and guard against a surprize. Should 
they move in force this way you will en- 
deavor to cross the river and join u.«. Do 
not be sparing of your Expresses, but let me 
know as often as possible of your situation. 
I wish to be fully informed of your prospect 
respecting provisions, and also the number 
of militia that have joined you. 

A large number of tents and hatchets are 
on the road. As soon as they arrive you 
shall be supplied. Many other articles ne- 
cessary for the Army, particularlj- shoes, are 
coming on. I am sir. 

Your humble servant, 

General Morgan. Natu. Greene. 



greene to morgan — a parting caution. 

Camp at the Cheraws, 
On the East Side of Pedee, 

December 29, 1780. 
Dear Sir: We arrived here on the 26th 
iust., after a very tedious and disagreeable 
march, owing to the badness of the roads 
and the poor and weak state of our teams. 
Our prospects with regard to provisions are 
mended, but this is no Egypt. 

I have this moment received intelligence 
that General Leslie has landed at Charles- 



ADJUTANT-GEN. WILLIAMS TO MORGAN. 

Camp Hicks Creek on P. D., ) 
30th Dec, 17S0. / 

Dr. General: I enclose you a number of 
letters by a Sergeant of Lt. Colonel Wash- 
ington's Kegt. which I hope will arrive safe. 
We are at present in a Camp of Kepose, and 
the General is exerting himself and every 
Body else to put his little Army in a better 
condition. Tents in sufficient number for a 
larger army than ours are coming from Phil- 
adelphia. They are expected to arrive early 
lu January. We also expect a number of 
shoes, shirts and some other articles "':icu- 
tially necessary. 

Col. Marion writes the General that Gen. 
Leslie lauded with his command at Chas. 
town on the 20th inst., and that he had ad- 
vanced as far as Monk's Corner. You know 
Lord Cornwallis has collected his force in 
Camden, pi-obably they mean to form a junc- 
tion and attempt to give a ^low to a part of 
our force, while we are divided aud most 
jirobably that blow will be aimed at you. 
as our position in the centre of a wilderness 
is less accessi))le than your camp. I know 
your discretion renders all caution from me 
unnecessary, but my Friendship will plead 
an excuse for the impertinence of wishing 
you to run no risque of a Defeat. May your 
Laurels flourish when your Locks fade, and 
an age of Peace reward your toils in War. 
My love to every Fellow Soldier, and Adieu. 
Yrs mo. truly, O. II. Williams. 

General Morgan. 

Gen'l Greene desires you will please to 
send returns of your command. Lt. Col. 
Howard will please to make a distinct re- 
turn of the Light Inf'y and mark all casual- 
ties minutely that they may be entered in 
our Muster Eolls. I have wrote to Col. 
Washington for a special return of Cavalry, 
called for by the Hou'le Board of War. 

Thine, O. H. W. 



greene to jefferson— state aid from 
virginia. 
Camp on the River Pedee. \ 
December 31st, 1780. ) 

Sir: Since I wrote your Escelleucy last I 
have taken uu entire new position with the 
Army. One part is with me on this river about 
80 miles from Charlotte, and the other is with 
Gen. Morgan on Broad river, on the west side 
of the Catawba, about 60 miles from Charlotte. 
The state of the provisions as well as many 
other reasons rendered this measure neces- 
sary. Lord Cornwallis continues in the 
neighborhood of Camdeu and General Lesley 
has arrived at Charlestown, and is on his way 
to join his Lordship. What they will attempt 
ona junction of this force it is ditHcultto tell, 
nor have I it in my power for want of hard 
money to get the smallest intelligence. I 
have giveu your Excellency such a full state 
of this Department in my former letters, and 
of the distress and suffering of your troops 
in particular, that I will not pain your 
liumanity by a repetition. 

Since my "last the Cherokees have commit- 
ted some depredations upon the Frontiers, 
and the Militia have assembled and gone 
against the lower towns, but with what 
force I am not able to say. 

For the aid of the Quarter M. Gteneral's 
department 1 have found it necessary to 
draw on your Excellency for one hundred 
and three thousand, eight hundred and four 
old Continental Dollars in favor of Mr. Patrick 
St. T n.wrence, which I beg you to give orders 
ior tb"? payment of. I am anxious to hear 
what me^-sures your Assembly are taking re- 
specting the several matters contained in the 
requisition which I laid before them. 

I am, with great respect, your Excellen- 
cies most obedient. Humble servant. 

Nath. Greene. 

His Excellency Governor Jefferson. 



COL. WILLIAMS ON GENERAL GATES. 

Cam;- Hicks CltEEK, '.id .lanuary, 1781. 

Dr Sir : The Bearer, a Corporal of the 3d 
Regiment of Lt. Dragoons, is ordered to join 
his Corps. He brings with him seven Pri- 
vates, nine Horses iScc. Fifty tents have ar- 
rived here and we expect more. I will be 
glad to receive a return of the number you 
have, when you send your next return of 
men &c. It is said here that Genl. Lessly 
has crossed Nelson Ferry. I think there is 
no reason to conclude he intends to join Ld. 
Cornwallis at Camden. But probably you 
are more particularly acquainted with the 
motions of those Gentlemen. 

The Maryland State Eegt is arrived at 
Holey's Ferry. I believe it will be em- 
ployed on detachment and will not join the 
Army in Camp, at leasttill the General hears 
from Maryland. Doct Brown who has just 
arrived and reassumes or continues his i)0St 



in the Hospital Department, Informs me 
that Major Giles told him and that he told 
Genl Gates, 1 had, as well as others censured 
his conduct in the action of Camdeu. The 
letters I wrote on the suVyect contained 
matter of fact. I always expected to be 
called on as Evidence upon an Enquiry into 
the Genls conduct. Therefore avoided giving 
my opinion. If any of my friends impute 
to the General as faults all the misfortunes 
of that Day, it would have been as proper to 
have given their own Opinions as to have 
drawn improper conclusions from my infor- 
mation and given me as the author. If I was 
in presence of Genl Gates, or if it recurs to 
certain private conversations I had with him 
since the action he will not be surprised at 
these reports. I am conscious of having 
conducted myself with the strictest propriety 
in thatatfair, as I shall upon Oath when re- 
quired all and no more than what I have at 
different times mentioned to the General, 
audi have said much less to others. You 
are particularly ac(iuainted with ray private 
sentiments on the subject. I hope you will 
believe I have at no time been inconsistent, 
whatever construction may liave been put 
upon my letters and whatever information 
Major Giles might have reed on the sub- 
ject. I shall quiet the old Geutlemans 
doubts by letters, for in whatever Light his 
Conduct may appear to the World I always 
rather pitied than condemned his misfor- 
tunes. My compliments to my Friends with 
you and believe me yours, 

O. H. Williams. 

The writer of these letters, Gen. Otho H. 
Williams, of Maryland, will be recalled as 
one of the most distinguished and useful 
officers of the Revolution. Although young 
he had seen early service, with Cresap, was 
as a major a prisoner at Fort Washington, 
and exchar^ed for Major Ackland, and was 
promote(\ to a regiment iu the Maryland 
Line. At Camden, having assumed the 
duties of Major .lohn Armstroi^g who wa;.; 
sick, as adjutant-general to Gen. Gates, h(\ 
led the skirmish line, and subsequently kept 
his head in that disaster and was placed in 
command of the remains of the gallant 
Marylanders, doing much to restore disci- 
pline. In Gen. Greene's campaign he was 
frequently in command of detached parties 
and particularl.v distinguishing himself at 
Guilford and Eutaw Springs. He was an 
officer of great courage, enterprize and re- 
sources in difficulties. 

MORGAN TO GREENE — FURTHER CAUTIONS 
OF A SKILFUL COMMANDER. 

Camp on P.^colet, January 4th, 1781. 
Dear Sir: As soon as I could form a just 
Judgment of our Situation and the Pros- 
pects, I despatched Colonel Malmady to give 
you the necessary Information, and I flatter 
myself he has done it to your satisfaction. 



The Accouuts he briugs you of Lieut. Col. 
Washington's success at Hammond's Stores, 
is as authentic as any I have been able to 
collect. It was followed by some small ad- 
vantages. General Cunningham on hearing 
of Waters' defeat prejiarcd to evacuate Fort 
Williams, and had just njarched out with 
the last of his garrison, as a party consisting 
of about forty Militia Horsemen under 
Colonel Hayes and ten dragoons under Mr. 
Simmons, arrived with an Intention of de- 
manding a Surrender. The Enemy's force 
was so superior to theirs that they could 
eflect nothing more thau the demolition of 
the Fort. 

Sensible of the Importance of guarding 
against Surprizes I have used every precau- 
tion of this Head. I have had men who were 
recommended as every way calculated for 
the business constantly watching the Motions 
of the Enemy, so that unless they deceive 
me I am in no danger of being surprized. 

I have received no acquisition of force 
since I wrote to you but expect in a few 
days to be joined by Col. Clarke and Twiggs 
Regiment. Their numbers I eanuot ascer- 
tain. The men on the North side of Broad 
River I have not yet ordered to join me, but 
have directed their olliccrs to keep them in 
(Compact Bodies that they may be ready to 
march at the shortest notice. I intend these 
as a check on the Enemy should they attempt 
anything against my Detachment. 

My Situation is far from being agreeable 
to i..y Wi-shes or Expectations. Forage and 
Provisions are not to be hai. Here we can- 
not subsist so that we have but one alterna- 
tive, either to retreat or move into C4eorgia. 
A retreat will be attended with the most 
fatal consequences. The Spirit which now 
begins to pervade the People and call them 
into the Field will be destroyed. The Mili- 
tia who have already joined will desert us, 
and it is not improbable that a Regard for 
their own Safety will induce them to join 
the Enemy. 

I shall wait with impatience for your di- 
rections on the subject of my letter by Col- 
onel Malmady as till then my operations 
must be in a manner suspended. 

I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, 

• D. Morgan. 

Major General Greene. 

The enclosed paper has just been put into 
my hands by Colonels Pickens and McCall 
who assure me the circumstances are exactly 
as related. 



greene' to morgan— guard against a 
surprise. 
Camp S. Carolina, 
Ferry on the East Side of Pedee, 

January Sth, 1781. 
Dear Sir: (Jol. Malmady arrived here yes- 
terday with your letter of the .''1st of Decem- 
ber. Nothing could have atl'orded more 



pleasure than the successful attack of Lieut. 
Col. Washington upon the Tories. I hope it 
will be attended with a happy influence upon 
both Whig and Tory, to the reclaiming of 
one and the encouragement of the other. I 
wish you to forward to me an official report 
as soon as possible, that I may send it to the 
Northward. I have maturely considered 
your proposition of an expedition into Geor- 
gia and cannot think it warrantable in the 
critical situation our Army is in. I have no 
small reason to think by intelligence from 
different quarters that the enemy have a 
ij movement in contemplation and in all prob- 
j' ability it will be this way from the impu- 
'l deuce of the Tories, who are collecting in 
Ij difl'erent quarters in the most inaccessible 
j swamps and . morasses. Should you go into 
: Georgia and the enemy push this way, your 
[i" whole force will be useless. The enemy hav- 
t ing no objects there but what is secure in 
1 1 their fortifications, will take no notice of 
your movement, but serve you as General 
j Provost did General Lincoln, oblige you to 
'I return by making a forward movement 
j themselves, and you will be so far in the 
Ij rear that you can do them no injury. But if 
jl you continue in the neighborhood of the 
ii place you now are and they attempt to push 
j' forward you may intercept their conimunica- 
1' tions with Charlestown, or harrass their rear, 
ii both of which will alarm the enemy not a 
!j little. 
Ij If you employ detachments to intercept 

I supplies going to Ninety -six and Augusta it 
will perplex the enemy very much. If you 

' think Ninety-six, Augusta or even Savan- 
nah can be surprized and your force will 
admit of a detachment for the purpose and 
leave you sufficiency to keep up a good 
countenance you may attempt it. But 
i don't think of attempting either unless by 
surprize, for you will only beat your heads 
j against the wall without success. Small 
I parties are better to cfl'cct the purpose than 
1 large bodies, and the success will not greatly 
i depend upon the numbers, but on the secrecy 
' and spirit of the attack. 
I I must repeat my caution to you to guard 

I I against a surprize. You say the enemy and 
Ii the Tories both will try to bring you into 

disgrace if possible to prevent your influence 
ij upon the militia, especially the weak and 
!: wavering. 

1 1 I cannot pretend to give you any particu- 
,; lar instructions respecting a position. But 
jl some where between the Saluda and the 
j north branch of Broad River appears the 
j! most favorable for annoying the enemy, in- 
terrupting their supplies and harrassing 
their rear if they should make a movement 
this way. If you could detach a small party 
to kill the enemy's draught horses and re- 
cruiting cavalry upon the Congaree it would 
give them almost as deadly a blow as a de- 
feat. . But this matter must be conducted 



G 



•with great secrecy ami dispatch. Lieut. - 
Col. Lee has just arrived with his legiou aud 
Col. Greene is withiu a few days march of 
this Avith a reinforcenieut. The order 
is given to Capt. Marhury to make the pack 
saddles at Salisbury. 

I wish you to have liieut.-Col. Washing- 
ton's horse kept in as good order as possible, 
and let the militia light honse do all the 
fatigue duty. We may want a body of lieavy 
cavalry, and if they are broken down on 
common duty we shall have nothing to de- 
pend upon. 1 have ordered Major Camp- 
bell, who is at Salisbury with 100 Virginia 
riflemen, to join you. 

I am, dear sir, your most obedient humble 
servant, Nath. Greene. 

Brig. -Gen. Daniel Morgan. 



WILLIAMS TO morgan— PROPOSES TO SEE 
IT OUT. 

Camp Hicks Cheek. / 
13tli January, ITtsL J 

Dr. General : It is grateful to the soul of a 
man of sensibility to find a friend in a man 
of Sencc. Education is only a polish to our 
Expressions, our tlioughts are the same, and 
1 find as much real satisfaction in reading 
your plain, friendly letter of the .3d inst., as 
if it had been an Eulogium in Pindaric 
Verse. I thank for your obliging senti- 
ments in my favor, and will endeavor 
always to deserve them by a conduct con- 
sistent with the high ideas you have of my 
moral rectitude and propriety. 

Genl. Greene has just now received an 
express with letters aiinouucing the arrival 
of about 2..j00 brave fellows in Virginia. We 
must see it out I Virginia I hope will pro- 
vide for them. 

Present me to Howard, Pindell, Giles, 
Brooks aud all my other acquaintances. I 
wish you every possible success, and am 
Afl'ectionately yours 

O. H. Williams. 
Gen. Morgan, Pacolet, South Carolina. By 

Express. 



<;reene to morg.vn— hold your ground. 

Camp on the Pedee, | 
Jan. 13th, 1781. I 
Dear Sir: I am this moment favored with 
your letter of the 4th inst. Col. Malmedy 
also delivered me your dispatches of the 30th 
December, which I answered the bth inst., 
wherein 1 inform j'ou that 1 cannot think 
an expedition into Georgia eligible at this 
time. Since I wrote you I have received 
letters from Virginia informing me of the 
arrival of General Phillips with a detach- 
ment of 2,oU0 men from New York. This 
circumstance renders it still more improper 
for you to move far to the Southward. It is 
my wish also that you should hold your 



ground if possible, for I forsee the disagree- 
able consequences that will result from a re- 
treat. If moving as far as Xinety-Six or 
any where in the neighborhood of it will 
contribute to the obtaining of more ample 
supplies, you have my consent. Col. Tarle- 
tou is said to be on his way to i)ay you a 
visit. I doubt not but ho will have a decent 
reception and a proper dismission. And I 
am happy to find you have taken every pre- 
caution to avoid a surprize. I wish j ou to 
be more particular as to your plan aud ob- 
ject in paying a visit to Georgia. 

Virginia are raising :5,Ono mt- n to reinforce 
this Army. The Head Q'larters with the 
Northern Army is at New Windsor. 

General Morgan 

Note. — The second pfige appropriated by fome 
collector of autOfiraplis and not of liistor^ before 
i c.ime into the compiler's po>s-c.ssioii. 



RUTLEDCiE TO MORG.\N— SUCCESS ATTEND 
YOU ! 

Cheraws, Jany. 14th, 17S1. 
DrSir: I received your favor of the 2d 
instant. Sh'd have wrote to you sooner but 
never knew of any person going your way 
till after he had set out. The Enemy landed 
in Virginia the beginning of this month 
3,000 men (as it is said tho' perhaps the num- 
ber is exaggerated) under Knyphausen. 
Holland and Portugal iiave acceded to the 

League of and the hitter has forbid ,iny 

British vessel entering her Ports. Col. J. 
Laurens is appointed Envoy Extraordinary 
to France, to solicit sufticient aid to render 
the next campaign decisive. This is all the 
nev\'s we have had here. I thank you for 
all the assurances contained in your letter, 
but the matter will require address, dex- 
terity aud despatch if attempted. I fear that 
circumstances will not admit of an attempt 
with a probability of success, in which case 
it had better not be made. However you 
are on the spot and can judge and I am sure 
will act for the best. I rely on your good 
management and best exertions, if a good 
opportunity sh"d ofl'er. Success attend you 
in all your undertakings. 
I am with great regard 

Dr sir yours sincerely. 

J. RUTLEDGE. 

p. .S. Remember me to Col. Pickens aud 
Major Bowie. When you write to me by 
any person who is to return desire him to 
deliver the letter to me iu person and call on 
me for an answer. 

The Hon'ble Brigadier Gen. Morgan. 

GREENE TO MORGAN— GREENE PREDI,.T3 
COW PENS. 

Camp on Pedee, January 19th, 17S1. 
Dear Sir : Your favor of the 15th was de- 
livered to me last evening about 12 o'clock. 



I am surprized that General Sumter should 
give such an rf)rder as you mention to Col. 
Hill, nor can 1 persuade myself but that 
there must be some mistake in the matter, 
for tbo' it is the most military to convey 
orders throuj;h the principal to the depend- 
ents, as well from propriety as respect, yet 
this may uot always be convenient or even 
practicable, and therefore to give a positive 
order uot to obey was repugnant to reason 
and common sence. As the head was sub- 
ject to your orders, consequently the depend- 
ents also. I will write General Sumter on 
the subject, but as it is better to conciliate 
than agrevate matters where everything 
depends so much on voluntary principles, I 
wish you to take no notice of the matter, 
but endeavour to influence his conduct to 
give you all the aid in his power. Write 
him frequently and consult with him freely. 
He is a man of great pride and considerable 
merit, and sliould not be neglected. If he 
has given such order, I persuade myself he 
will see the impropriety of the matter and 
correct it in future, unless personal glory is 
more the object than public good, which I 
cannot suppose is the case with him or any 
other man who fights in the cause of Liberty. 
I was informed of Lord Coruwallis' move- 
ments before the arrival of your letter, and 
agree with you in opinion that you are the 
object; and from the making so general a 
movement it convinces me he feels a great 
inconvenience from your force and situation. 
Gen. Leslie has crossed the Catawba to join 
him. He would never barrass bis troops to 
remove you if ho did not think it an object 
of some importance. Xor would he put his 
collective force in motion if he had not some 
respect for your numbers. I am sensible 
your situation is critical, and requires the 
most watchful attention to guard aeainst a 
surprize. But I think it is of great impor- 
tance to keep up a force in that quarter, nor 
can I persuade myself that the militia alone 
will answer the same valuable purposes as 
when joined by the Continental Troops. 

It is not my wish you should come to ac- 
tion unless you have a manifest superiority 
and a moral certainty of succeeding. Put 
nothing to the hazard, a retreat may be dis- 
agreeable but uot disgraceful. Regard not 
the opinion of the day. It is not our busi- 
ness to risque too much, our afl'airs are in 
too critical a situation and require time and 
nursing to give them a better tone. 

If General Sumter and you could fix upon 
a plan for him to hold the post which you 
now occupy, to be joined by the militia un- 
der General Davidson, and you with your 
force, the Georgia and Virginia militia to 
move toward August or into that quarter, 
I should have no objection to such a move- 
ment; provided you think it will answer any 
valuible purpose, and can be attempted with 
a degree of safety. lam unwilling to recall 



youifitcai be avoUled, but I bad rather 
recall you by far than to expose you to the 
hazard of a surprize. 

Before they can possibly reach you I im- 
magine the movements of Lord Cornwallis 
and Col. Tarleton will be sufficiently ex- 
plained, and you obliged to take some decis- 
ive measure. I shall be perfectlj' satisfied if 
you keep clear of a misfortune, for, tho' I 
wish you laurels, yet I am unwilling to ex- 
pose the common cause to give you an op- 
portunity to acquire them. 

As the rivers are subject to sudden and 
great swells, you must be careful that the 
enemy do not take a position to gain your 
rear, when you can neither retreat by your 
flank or front. The Pedee rose 25 feet the 
last week in 30 hours. I am preparing boats 
to move always with the army. Would one 
or two be of u'sc to you ? They will be put 
upon four wheels, and may be moved with 
little more difticulty than a loaded waggon. 

Gen. Davidson is desired to receive or- 
ders, and in conjunction with Gen. Sumter 
to consult with you, a plan for a combined 
attack on one of the divisions of Lonl Corn- 
wallis's army, and also respecting your 
movements into Georgia. 

I am, with esteem, dear sir. 

Your most obedient, humble servant, 
Natu. Gkeenk. 

General Morgan". 

The admirable strategy displayed by 
Greene cannot fail to strike those of military 
experience or education. While holding 
Cornwallis in check, he was drilling and per- 
fecting his main force, Kosciusko was pre- 
paring the boats for an advance, Steuben^ 
forwarding when possible material and men, 
while Movsran's respectable detachment 
threatened Ninety-Six, Augusta, and every 
assailable point and compelled the enemy 
soon also to divide and weaken their force. 
They could not — it will have been noticed— 
pursue Morgan, if he made an aggressive 
movement, towards either Virginia or Geor- 
gia, without leaving Greene in their rear. 
He was in striking distance of Hillsboro' — 
which he considered his base of supply- 
Charlotte, or Charleston, and compelled them 
to guard the radii from his centre. Tiie 
gallant and etiicient Sumter, although dis- 
abled by his wound at Blackstock, com- 
manded a department in which Morgan was 
operating, and the interference was with the 
orders of Greene to Morgan, as the superior 
officer of both, to establish depots in his 
rear on which he could draw or fall back. 
Gen. Sumter probably considered should be 
promulgated through him. Such ditlerences 
are so common as really to form an incident 
of warfare. Col. Harry Lee had joined Gen. 
Greene seven days before this letter was 
written, with a well equijiped 300 of his long 
delayed legion, to supply the place of Col. 



Arniand's legion dispensed with after Cam- 
den, and his few other cavalry under Col. 
Washington having been sp ;red to Morgan. 

Morgan to Greene— Report of the Battle of 
Cowpeus. 

Camp on Cain C'keek on Pedee, ) 
January 19th, ITbl. | 

Dear Sir: The troops I have the honor to 
command have gained a complete victory 
over a detachment from the British Army 
commanded by Lieut.-Col. Tarleton. It hap- 
pened on the 17th inst., about sunri-'C, at a 
place called the Cowpeus, near Pacolet 
Eiver. On the 14th, having received intelli- 
gence that the British Army were in motion, 
and that their movements clearly indicated 
the intention of dislodging me, 1 abandoned 
my encampment at Glendale Ford, and on 
the 16th, in the evening, took possession of a 
post about seven miles from Chroke on 
Broad River. My former position subjected 
me at once to the operations of Lord Corn- 
wallis and Colonel Tarleton, and in case of 
a defeat my retreat might easily have been 
cut off. My situation at Cowpeus enabled 
me to improve any advantage that I might 
gain and to provide better for my security 
should I be uufortunate. These reasons in- 
duced me to take this post notwithstanding 
it had the appearance of a retreat. On the 
evening of the lGth,the enemy occupied the 
ground we had removed from in the morn- 
ing. One hour before daylight one of my 
scouts informed me that they had advanced 
within five miles of our camp. On this in- 
formation the necessary dispositions were 
made. From the activity of the troops we 
were soon prepared to receive them. Tbe 
light infantry commanded l)y Lt.-Col. How- 
ard, and the Virginia Militia under Major 
Triplett, wi-re formed on a rising ground. 
The Third Regiment of Dragoons consisting 
of about 80 men under the command of Lt. 
Col. Washington were so posted in the rear 
as not to be injured by the enemy's fire, and 
yet to be able to charge them should au 
occasion offer; the Volunteers from North 
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia under 
the command of Col. Pickens were posted to 
guard the flanks. Major McDowal, of the 
North Carolina Volunteers, were jx'sted on 
the right flank in front of the line l.'>0 yards. 
Major Cunningham, of the Georgia Volun- 
teers, on the left, at the same distance in 
front, Colonels Brannou and Thomas, of 
the South Carolina Volunteers, on 
the right of Major McDowal, and Col- 
onels Hays and McCall of the same 
corps to the left of Mnjor Cunningham. 
Capts. Tate and Buchanan, with the Au- 
trusta Riflemen, were to support the right of 
the line. The enemy drew up in one line 



four hundred yards in f*ront of our advanced 
corps. The first battalion of the 71st Regi- 
ment was opposed to our right, the 7th to 
our left, the Legion Infantry to our centre, 
and two companies of the light troops, 100 
each, on our flanks. In their front they 
moved two pieces of artillery, and Lieut.- 
Col. Tarleton, with 280 cavalry, was posted in 
the rear of the line. The disposition being 
thus made, small parties of riflemen were 
detached to skirmish with the enemy, on 
which their whole line advanced with the 
greatest impetuosity, shouting as they ad- 
vtoced. Majors McDowal and Cunningham 
gave them a heavy and galling fire, and re- 
treated to the regiments intended for their 
support; the whole of Col. Pickens' command 
then kept up a fire by regiments, retreating 
agreeable to orders. When the enemy ad- 
vanced on our lines they received a well- 
directed and incessant fire, but their num- 
bers being superior to ours they gained our 
flanks, which obliged us to change our posi- 
tion. We retired, in good order, about fifty 
paces, formed and advanced on the enemy 
and gave them a brisk fire, which threw 
them into disorder. Lieut.-Col. Howard ob- 
serving this gave orders for the line to 
charge bayonets, which was done with such 
address that the enemy fled with the utmost 
precipitation. Lieut.-Col. Washington dis- 
covering that the cavalry were cutting down 
our riflemen on the left, charged them with 
such firmness as obliged them to retire in 
confusion. The enemy were entirely routed, 
and the pursuit continued upwards of 
tweuty miles. Our loss was inconsiderable, 
not having more than twelve killed 
and sixty wounded. The enemy's loss 
was 10 commissioned officers and over 
100 rank and tile killed and 200 wounded, 
29 commissioned ofliccrs and about r>00 pri- 
vates prisoners which fell into our hands 
with two pieces of artillery, two standards, 
800 muskets, one travelling forge, thirty- 
fiv6 baggage wagons, seventy negroes and 
upwards of 100 dragoon horses, with all their 
musick. They destroyed most of the bag- 
gage which was immense. Although our 
success was complete we fought only 800 
men and were opposed by upwards of one 
thousand chosen British Troops. Such was 
the inferiority of our numbers that our suc- 
cess must be attributed, under God, to the 
justice of our cause and the bravery of our 
Troops. My wishes would induce me to men- 
tion the name of every private ceutinel in 
the Corps. In justice to the brave and good 
conduct of the officers, I have taken the 
liberty to enclose you a list of their names 
from a conviction that you will be pleased 
to introduce such characters to the world. 
Major Giles, my aid de camp, and Captain 
Brooks, acting as Brigade Major, deserves to 
•Jiave my thanks for their assistance and be- 
i havior on this occasion. The Baron de 



Glabuck, who accompanies Major Giles wltVi 
these despatches, behaved in such a-manner 
as to merit your attention. 

I am sir, Your obedient servant, 

Dax Morgan. 
Maj. Gen. Green'e. 



A List of the comraisnoned ofticers in the action 
of 17th January, 1781. 

Of the Light Infantry. " 

.Tohn E. Howard, Lt.-Col. Conimd'g'. 
Henj. Brooks, Captain and Brig. Major. 
Captains Robert Sherwood, Delaware. 

Anderson, Maryland. 



Dobson, 


do. 


jeutenants Kwing, 


do. 


Watkin.s, 


do. 


Hanson, 


do. 


Barnes, 


do. 


Miller, 


do. 


King, 


do 


Dyer, 


do. 


Smith. 


do. 



Of the Third Battalion of Dragoons 
I..ieut -Col. Washington, Virginia. 
Major Richard Call, do. 

Captain Berrett, do. 

I..ieiitenan' Bell, do 

Cornet Sininion.s, South Carolina. 

Of the Maryland Slate Battalion. 
Edward Giles, Major and Act'g A. D. C. 

Of the Virginia Militia. 
.Major Triplet t. Ensigns Coinh.s, 

* Captain.s B:iekus, McCorkill, 

Tate, Wilson. 

Gilniore. 

The Baron de Glabuck served as volunteer 
in Gen. Morgan's family, and Mr. Andrews 
with Col. Washington's battalion. Col. Pick- 
ens and all the officers in his corps behaved 
well; but from their having so lately joined 
the detatchraeut it has been impo.ssible to 
collect all their names and rank so that the 
General does not particularize any lest it 
should be doing injustice to others. 

By order of Brig. -Gen. Morgan. 

Edward Giles, A. D. C. 



DR. JACKSON TO MORGAN — WANTS OF THE 
WOUNDED. 

January 18th, 1781. 
Sir: As the wounded must sutler much 
from want of necessaries, and even medical 
assistance, with your permission I should 
wish to inform Lord Coruwallisof their situ- 
ation, that if he thinks proper he may order 
something for their relief, some Surgeons of 
the General Hospital and Hospital appoint- 
ments. From your very great politeness to 
me I am confident that you will grant every- 
thing that is reasonable or proper. 
I have the honor to be. Sir, 
Your most obedient humble servant, 

KOBEET J.VCKSON. 

Surgeon's Mate 1st Batt. 71 Regt. 
B. Genl. Morgan. 





TARLETON TO MORGAN— A REVERSE COURTE- 
OUSLY ACCEPTED. 

Near Turkey Creek, Jan. 19th. 1781. 

Sir: The action of the 17th instant having 
thrown into your hands a number of British 
Officers and Soldiers I primarily request of 
you that Attention and Humanity may be 
exhibited towards the Wounded Officers and 
Men, for whose assistance I now send a Flag, 
Doctor Stewart and the Surgeon's Mate of 
the Seventh JSegt. I secondly desire you to 
inform me the Number and Inability of the 
Prisoners, which the Fortune of \Var has 
placed in your possession. 

I have the Honour to be, Sir, your most 
obedient and most humble servant, 

B. Tarleton, 
Lt. Col. Commdg R. L. 

P. S. I have sent some money for the use 
of the Prisoners. 

It is clear from this graceful letter, con- 
taining neither a word too much or too little, 
even were it not shown in his interesting 
and on the whole fairly impartial report, 
that Banistre Tarleton, Lieutenant-colonel 
in possession and Lieutenant-general, 
Baronet, Knight of the Bath, and son- 
in-law of the Dukeof Ancaster in expectancy, 
daring and successful partisan as he was, 
could conduct himself a§ a gentleman in ad- 
versity, always a mark of breeding even 
when surrounded by prosperity. Hcliad re- 
treated to the pla3e ^vhere it was dated 
and rejoined his indulgent commander. 

PINDELL TO MORGAN — THE .SUFFEEI.,GS OF 
THE WOUNDED. 

Mt. JoRDANS NEAR THE CoW PEXNS, ) 

•Jan'y 22d, 1781. j" 
D. Gen'l : Enclo.sed I send a Flagg which 
arrived yesterday from Colo. Tarleton. You 
will see his own requisitions, in addition to 
which Doct'r Jackson, in conjunction with 
the Gentlemen who came with the Flagg, 
(finding it impossil)le to have the wounded 
properly provided for in this country,) are 
desirous of having the men paroled and to 
have permis.sion to take them within the 
British li4es. They will give a receipt for 
the number of wounded men they receive and 
make a return of those that may recover to 
our Commissary of Prisoners, when they will 
exchange. I am of opinion also that they 
cannot be provided for here, and think theiV 
proposals of equal advantage to us. There 
has been one instance of this kind at Stoney 
Point. If it is not agreeable to you to have 
the men paroled the surgeons will give a 
receipt for the men and be accountable for 
them. Some of them are still in the field 
and have no salt. You will please to de- 
spatch an answer as soon as possible, that we 
may know in wh.tt manner to act, there is 
no Regular Supply established yet. I wrote 
you two or three days past "but have re- 



10 



ceived no auswev. I wish some mode could 
be established to remove our wouuded to 
Salsbury. I am entirely out of Brandy and 
Lint and sliall soon need a supply of medi- 
cines. I am yours, &g., 

E. PiNDELL. 

Hon. Briirdier Gen'l MoRG.^.N, Command- 
ing iu the Field near Catawba. 

LA.ST WORD.S OF A PATKIOT. 

The three following letters especially merit 
a lasting record. The writer, Gen. Davidson, 
of Rowan County, North Carolina, served 
with distinction both North and South, join- 
ing Lincoln in the latter, and when shot 
through the body at Colson's Mills, had re- 
ported for duty after two months. lie had 
joined Morgan just previous to Cuvvpens with 
one hundred and twenty \Vhigs whom he bad 
recruited at Mecklenburg, where he bad 
been educated and bis interests lay, and had 
hurried back to bring into the field five hun- 
dred more whom he had enrolled, and so lost 
his coveted opportunity in that affair, and 
at the writing of these letters at Charlotte 
was hastening to his duty and his destiny. 
Oa his arrival he was entrusted witk the 
important duty of guarding the numerous 
fords of the Catawba and to prevent the 
crossing of Lord Cornwall is. or of Arnold, if 
he arrived. On the 1st of February, five days 
after the date of the last, he was killed at 
McCowan's Ford, which he attempted to 
holQ ith three hundred of his mounted 
levy. Here Cornwallis, leading in person, 
had bis horse shot under him, and one of his 
most eflicieut officers. Col. Hall of the 
Guards, was amongst the slain. Congress, 
appreciating Davidson's services, voted five 
hundred dollars for his monument, and it is 
to be hoped tliat it still records his gallant 
deeds and early death. It will be noticed 
that he does not wish to be detained from 
the field as a guard or escort for the prison- 
ers, and was a prompt, decisive soldier : . 

Dr. Gen'l : You'l please to accept my warm- 
est congratulations on your late glorious vic- 
tory. You have in my opinion paved the 
way for the Salvation of this Country. I 
hope Major McDowell & the volunteers (his 
120) answered the Character I gave you of 
them. The Militia are coming in fast to 
this place, again Wednesday or Thursday 
I shall be ready to march with a considera- 
ble number of pretty good men whenever it 
may be proper, and several Gentlemen from 
the Country have oflered to embody the 
Militia that are at homo, to conduct the 
prisoners to any place that may be directed. 
If you think well of this 111 thank you to 
let me know by the bearer, Parson McCaull, 
as I ha'/e men here from every Comnsny 
who can carry despatches for ttie jurpose 



immediately. I think I shall have GOO men 
at least at the place of Rendezvous. 
I have the honor to be my Dr. General, 
Yours most respectfully, 

W.M. L. Davidson. 
Gen'l Morgan. 



Charlotte, January 22d, 1781. 

Sir : The enclosed despatches from Head 
Quarters came to my hand to-day enclosed 
in a letter from General Greene. The Gen'l 
mentions to me the plan you suggested of 
making a diversion to the Westward, and 
seems to depend much on your judgment 
respecting that matter. In the meantime I 
am directed to make you acquainted with 
my numbers and situation and hold myself 
in readiness to execute any order you may 
think proper to give. As the troops are now 
collecting, returns cannot be made for some 
time. Seventeen British So|diers taken on 
the retreat the ITthinst. were brought in here 
to-day. Your victory over Tarleton has 
gladdened every countenance in this part. 
We have had a Feu de Joy to-day in conse- 
quence of it. 

I have the the honor to be. 

Your very obedient and humble servant, 
W.M. L. Davidson. 

Gen'l. Morgan. 

Dear Sir : Just now my Quarter Master re- 
turned from Captain Marbury, to whom I 
sent an order for flints, and found he has not 
any. 300 militia coming from the District 
joins me, who are all wanting flints. If you 
have any that you possibly can spare until I 
can write and have a return from Gen. Greene, 
shall replace them. Cannot hear where you 
are. Should thank you to let me know, as 
also the Prisoners. The enclosed is a just 
account of tlie force at Camden commanded 
by Lord Rawdon, given by Col. Adam Alex- 
ander, just from that place from a Gaol con- 
finement of four months. 
I am, dear sir, 
Your most bumble servant. 

Wm. L. Davidson. 

.Tan. 24. 1781. Camp near Charlotte. 

Gen'l. MoEG.iN. 



WILLIAMS TO MORGAN— CONGRATULATIONS. 

Camp P. D., 25th January, 1781. 
Dr. Genl : I rejoice exceedingly at your 
success. The advantages you have gained 
are important and do great Honor to your 
little Corps. I am peculiarly happy that so 
great a share of the glory is due to the 
officers and men of the Light Infantry. 
Next to the bai)pine.ss which a man feels at 
his own good fortune is that which attends 
his Friend. I am much better pleased that 
you have plucked the laurels from the brow 
of the hitherto fortunate Tarlton frhau if he 
had fallen by the hands of Lucifer. Y^en- 



11 



geance is not sweet if it is not taken as we 
would have it. I am delighted that the ac- 
cumulated honors of a youuj; Partisan sliould 
be plundered by my Old Friend. We have 
had a feu de joy, drank all your Healths, 
Swear you are the finest Fellows, and love 
you if possible more than ever. The Gene- 
ral has, I think, made his compliments in 
very handsome terms. Inclosed is a copy of 
his order. It was wrote immediately after 
we heard the news, and during the opera- 
tion of some cherry bounce. Major Hyrne 
is so obliging as to bring you a small Packet 
from me. It is intended to qualify you to 
let me hear from you now and then. I have 
only to add a repetition of my best wishes 
for you. t'ompts. to Howard and all friends. 
Adieu. Yours sincerelv, 

O. H. Willi .\ MS. 

Yesterday the famous Major Gray, the in- 
famous spy and notorious horse thief, lost his 
mulatto Head. It is exhibited at Cheraw 
Hill, a terror to Tories. 

Brigadier General MoEG.vx. His Camp. 
For'd by Major Hyrne: 



KUTLEDGE TO MORGAN — PICKENS A BRKiA- 
LIER. 

Cheraws, January 2.")th, 1781. 

Dr. Sir: I request that you will be pleased 
to accept my warmest and moft cordial 
thanks, & that you will present them to the 
brave Ollicers and Men under your Command 
for the good Conduct and Intrepidity mani- 
fested in the Action with Lieut. Col. Tarle- 
ton on the 17th instant. This total defeat of 
chosen Yeteran British Troops by a number 
far inferior to theirs will for Ever distinguish 
the gallant men by whom the Glorious Yic- 
tory was obtained, & endear them to their 
country. I retlect on it with the greatest 
pleasure as a X'l'csage of the happiest conse- 
quence. It will excite many to emulate 
their Patriotism, & by the undaunted Cour- 
age & Perseverance of Freemen who are de- 
termined to :uaiutain the Independence of 
America, that must {with the Blessing of 
God on our Arms) be firmly established. 
Col. Pickens's behavior justifies the opinion 
I have always had of that excellent Officer. 
Inclosed is a Brigadier's Commission, of 
which I desire his acceptance. 

I am with great Eegard, Dr Sir, Your Most 
Obdt. Servt, J. Eutledge. 

Gen. Morgan. 



GOVERNOR .JOHN RUTLEDGE'S ORDER. 

Cheraws, January S-oth, 17S1. 
The Regiments lately Colo. Pickens's & 
Colo. Hammond's, Harden's & Gordu's Eegi- 
nients are in General Pickens's Brigade. 
The officers commanding these Eegiments 
are therefore to obey his Orders as their 
Brigadier General. J. EuTLEDGE. 

To Col. H.\RDEN. 



RL'TLEDGE TO MORGAN— HEALTH, SUCCES 
AND EVERY BLESi-ING. 

Cheraws, Jany 2.")th, 1781. 

Dr. Sir : I am in great hopes that the late 
affair with Master Tarleton will ati'ord an 
opportunity of bringingaway all my Negroes 
from Ninety-Six toSalisbury. If an attempt 
can be made to remove 'em, with a proba- 
bility of Success, I wish it may as soon as 
possible. I hope by the good offices of Col. 
Pickens and Capt. Wood and his brother 
they may be got ofl". Tho' I have no doubt 
of recovering and holding So. Carolina, yet 
as I have lost -the two last years crops en- 
tirely, besides suffering other incredibly 
great damage by the Euemy, I w'd wish to 
send my negroes, if I can, to some place 
where I may perhaps make a little by them, 
until we can so recover the Statts as that I 
may replace them with some degree of 
Safety. But I shall be too late to recover 
any benefits by them this year, unless I can 
get 'em away very soon, as the Spring 
advances fast. You will excuse my giving 
you any trouble about a private concern 
when you have so much about the ])ublick 
Trusts (fortunately for me) committed to 
your charge. Health, success and every 
Blessing attend you. 

I am, dear sir, y'rs, J. Ettledge. 

Gen. MoRG.^N. 



SUMTER TO .MORGAN — ON THE .■VLERT, 

Catawba Eiver, •28th January, 17.->1. 

Dear Sir: I have every reason to believe 
that the Enemy are not more than l,('.Ou 
strong. I have had them repeatedly counted, 
and could ascertain their number to a man 
Jf3knowed what had escaped the defeat of 
Col. Tarleton. Upon which happy event I 
most heartily congratulate you. 

I am, dear sir, your most obed't h'ble ser- 
vant, Thos. Slmter. 

Brig. Gen. Morgan. 



GEN. morgan's LEAVE AFTER COW PENS. 

Camp at Guilford Courthouse, I 
Feby 10th, 1781. j 
General Morgan, of the Yirginia line, has 
leave of absence until he recovers J^s health 
so as to take the field again. 

Nath. Greene. 



VIRGINIA S THANKS THROUGH EICHAKD 
HENRY LEE. 

Richmond, March the 21st, 1781. 
Sir : It is with peculiar pleasure that I 
execute the order of the House of Delegates 
in transmitting to you their sence, and 
thro them the sence that your country en- 
tertain of the many signal services per- 
formed by you in the various victories that 
you have obtained over the enemies of the 
iCJnited Stages, and more especially in the 



LofC, 



12 



late well-timed total defeat jriven to the 
British Troops in Souft^f Caroliua. I am 
directed to request of you, sir, that you will 
convey to the brave Officers and Troops 
under' vour command iu the action of the 
17th of Jauuary, the sence entertained by 
the House of Delegates of their valor and 
great services upon that memorable occa- 
sion. 

Having thus discharged my duty to the 
House of Delegates, permit me to lament 
that the unfortunate state of your health 
should deprive the public of those eminent 
services in the field which you are so capable 
of performing, and let me hope that it will 
not be long before a return of health will 
restore you to the army and your country. 

I have the honor to be, with the very 
greatest respect and esteem, sir, your most 
obedient and very humble servant, 

EicHAED Hexky Lee. 

B. General iroRG.\N. 



THE GRATITX'DE OF COXGEESS. 

Congress on Friday, March !), 1781, recog- 
nized the value of this important victory as 
follows : 

"The United States, in Congress assembled, 
considering it as a tribute due to distin- 
guished merit to give a public approbation 
to the conduct of Brigadier General Morgan 
and of the otiicers and men under his com- 
nand on the 17th of .January last, wh3a 
with eighty cavalry and two hundred and 
thirty-seven infantry of the troops of the 
L^nited States and five hundred and fifty- 
three militia from the States of Virginia, 
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia 
he obtained a complete and important vic- 
tory over a select and well appointed detach- 
ment of more than eleven hundred British 
Troops C'.mmanded by Lieut. Col. Tarleton-, 
do therefore resolve, 

That the thanks of the United States in 
Congress assembled be given to Brigadier 
General Morgan, and the men under his 
command for the fortitude and good conduct 
displayed in the action at the Cownens, in 
the State of South Carolina, on the seven- 
teenth day of January last: That a medal of 
gold be presented to Brigadier-General Mor- 
gan, a medal of silver to Lieutenant Colonel 
Washington of the Cavalry, and one of silver 
to Lieutenant Colonel Howard, of the Infan- 
try of the United States, severally, with 
emblems and mottoes descriptive of the con- 
duct of those olBcers respectively on that 
memorable day. 

That a sword be presented to Colonel 
Pickens, of the Militia, in testimony of his 
spirited conduct in the action before men- 
tioned. 



That Major Edward Giles, aid-de-camp to 
Brigadier-General Morgan, have the brevet 
commission of a Major; and that Baron de 
Glabuck, who served with Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Morgan as a Volunteer, have the brevet 
commission of a captain in the Army of the 
United States in consideration of their merit 
and services. 

Ordered that the commanding officers in 
the Southern Department communicate 
these resolutions in general orders.' 

These resolutions were printed by Geu. 
Moultrie iu his valuable Memoirs of the 
Revolution, and test the appreciation of 
that gallant officer, then a prisoner of war, 
of the services and rewards of his more fortu- 
nate brother soldiers. While Tarleton iu 
his "History of the Campaigns of 1780-81"' 
fairly records the detail of his defeat and 
does justice to his opponents, he fails amongst 
many documents to print his report of the 
Battle of Cowpens, and merely an extract 
from a letter to Lord Coruwallis to him^ 
apparently a favorite officer and generally 
addressed as "Dear Tarleton" — saying "You 
have forfeited no part of my esteem as an 
officer by the unfortunate event of the action 
of the 17th. The means you iised to bring 
the enemy to action were able and masterly, 
and must ever do you honor. Your disposi- 
tion was unexceptionable; the total misbe- 
havior of too Iroops could alone have de- 
prived you of the glory which was so justly 
your due."' This from so distinguished a 
soldier, suffering from the reverse, was an 
unusual tribute to misfortune as well as 
compliment to success. Twenty-nine com- 
missioned officers killed, wounded and cap- 
tured in so small a force, shows the 
decisive character of the engagement, and 
that the "misbehavior" was confined to the 
men. It is to be regretted that Major Giles's 
hasty report, in which his fellow traveller 
with the good news. Baron Glabuck, and 
himself are twice referred to, gives so little 
detail of Col. Andrew Pickens's service no- 
ticed by Congress, and that of his command, 
who had joined the night before. The fol- 
lowing letters, copies of which the compiler 
had furnished to his friend. Col. Charles C. 
Jones, Jr., of Augusta, an earnest contribu- 
tor to history, particularly to that of his own 
State, he considers it proper to include here 
also in aid of the justice he seeks for those 
enti,tled to notice of their service on that 
day. The writer was one of the notable 
patriots of that period, who from a soldier at 
the defence of Savannah at eighteen to Ma- 
jor-General and Governor, Avas always in 
service and often distinguished. On this 
day he was serving as Brigade-Major to the 
gallant Pickens, and when writing these 
letters as Senator in Congress. It is to be 
hoped that these letters are not still cries 
for justice at the end of a century : 



13 



THE PEESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MORGAN. 

Philadelphia, April 11th, 1781. 

Sir: Your letter of the 28th ult. hath 
been duly received, with the standard of the 
Seventh British Regiment which fell into 
your hands in the battle of the 17th of Jan- 
uary. This will be deposited with other 
Trophies in the War Office, to remain a last- 
ing evidence of the Victory that day obtained 
with so much gallantry and Bravery. I am 
sorry to find your health so much impaired, 
hope by your jjresent retirement and B^laxa- 
tion from the Toils of the Field, it may be 
perfectly restored and your Country reap 
signal advantages from your future services. 

I have the honor to be with esteem and 
regard, your most obedient humble serv't. 
Sam HuNTiNCiTON. 

Brig. Gen. Morgan. 



MORGAN called FOR BY THE VIRGINIA 

house of delegate.^. 

In House of Delegates, ] 
Saturday, 2d June, 1781. J 

Eesolveil, That bis Excellency the Gov- 
ernor be desired to call for the immediate 
assistance of Brigadier-General Morgan to 
take command of such Volunteers, Militia 
or others, as be may be able speedily to em- 
body aad march to join the Army under 
command of the Hou'ble Major-Genial 
Marquis la Fayette; that this Assembly 
have the utmost confidence in the active ex- 
ertion of General Morgan in the present, 
emergency, and that the Cioveruor do trans- 
mit to the said General so many proper com- 
missions as may be necessary for the field 
oflicers, captains, subalterns and others to be 
by him appointed. 

Teste. John Berkley, Clk H. of D. 



governor nelson, op VIRGINIA. 

KiCHMOND, July 20th, 17S1. 

Sir: It will give me the greatest Pleasure 
to comply witii the Resolution of the Assem- 
bly, directing that you shall be presented 
with a Horse, Sword, &c., as I shall ever be 
happy to contribute towards rewarding dis- 
tinguished merit. 

I am under some difficulty with respect to 
the Horse, because I may procure one that 
may not suit You. If you know of one that 
You wish to have, I will immediately direct 
that he shall be purchased. The Assembly 
intend that the present should be a Genteel 
one, the horse therefore ought to be of the 
first quality. 

I am. Sir, with great esteem, Your Obed't 
and very h'blc Serv't, 

Thos. Nelson, Jr. 

Brigadier Gcn'l Morgan. 

Immediately after Cowpens Morgan, aware 
of the junction of Tarleton with Cornwallis, 
at once pressed towards the Catawba to form 
his own in turn with Gen. Gi-eene, which 



Some writers attributed (o a timidity im- 
possible to his character, but was an- 
ticipated by Greene who, also appreciating 
the danger of a speedy concentrated action 
against Morgan alone, had pressed on with a 
small escort to consult how to improve and 
secure the result of the victory, ordering his 
troops to follow him. Then followed a series 
of strategic movements, including the pur- 
suit by Lord Cornwallis, intent on the 
rescue of his troops and equipage, driving 
Gen. Greene towards the riVer .fiaia, 
the prostration of Morgan by rheuma- 
tism, Col. Williams succeeding to the 
command of the light troops, skirmishing 
with the advance of Cornwallis, and cover- 
ing the rear of Greene, until he had crossed 
that river. How Cornwallis, recognizing 
the escape, turned to rally the Tories en- 
couraged by Greene's evacuation of North 
Carolina, setting up the Royal standard at 
Hillsboro' and inviting them with some 
temporary success to join it, while Greene, 
reinforced after three weeks' sufi'ering, ven- 
tures to make a stand at Guilford, in which 
both armies suffered severely, but the British 
claimed a victory. Next Cornwallis moving 
to Wilmington for supplies, and marching 
on Petersburg to co-operate with Gen. 
Phillips, and after a spirited campaign in 
Virginia, more marked for skilful ma,- 
ntBuvring and devastation than actual-' 
fighting, findinc himself everywhere held 
in check by LaFayette, supported by Wayne 
and Steuben — the sponsors for his iniknt 
command— and led .seaward by the delu- 
sive prospects of co-operation by troops and 
ships sent by Sir Henry Clinton from New 
York. Finally, the inarch of Cornwallis to 
Yorktowu, the delay of these reinforce- 
ments—by fears at New York— until too 
late, and the arrival of the French 
fleet and army and fresh American 
troops, and his investment and surren- 
der after a gallant resistence. These 
were the fruits of the seed planted at Cow- 
pens which drew Cornwallis away from his 
stronghold and precipitated history at York- 
town. Gen. Greene meanwhile had turned 
back to that old campaigning ground in 
North Carolina, had fought the battle of 
j Eutaw and was gradually reducing or iu- 
I vesting the fortified British posts, and 
j checking the advance of Lord Rawdon with 
new forces. Then ensued a number of bril- 
liant partisan achievements, rendered possi- 
ble by the ab.sence of an overwhelming force 
of regulars, in which Sumter, Marion, Niel, 
Lacey and other local heroes, while showing 
their valor and endurance, gave a color of 
romance to the final days of the struggle in 
the South of the incompetent or unwise 
counsellors of a weak but well meaning 
monarch, to hold those Provinces by divine 
right alone, without recourse to the* dictates 
of discretion. Finally the country was freed 



14 



of outposts, aud tbe spirit of tbe people uu- 
controUed swept the remains of the forces 
into Savanna!) aud Charleston, aud towards 
early evacuation. 

lu alnjost the last skirmish there fell on 
the Combahee, near Charleston, one who, 
although but 29 years of age, had already 
imprinted his mark on his country's histoi-y, 
and whose life afforded a promise, the loss of 
which alone seemed a national calamity. 
Already as a soldier Col. John Laurens had 
won the confidence of XVashiugton as a mem- 
ber of his military family, and tbe warm per- 
sonal friendship of Lafayette, an excellent 
judge of character. As a diplomat entrusted 
with important missions, he had done much 
to cement the Freuch Alliance, and was the 
welcomed fellow counsellor of sage states- 
men. As a student of law in London, at the 
outbreak of the Revolution, he had attended 
the sessions of Parliament, and watched the 
growing of the coming storm, and in his 
letters had discussed it with his father and 
bis friends. A study of many of those letters 
which have been preserved have convinced 
the compiler that his waiving more dis- 
tinguished duties and following Greene to 
Charleston to die in its defence near the 
home of his boyhood made bis blood, shed at 
the moment of its delivery, one of the 
noblest seals set to his country's indepen- 
dence. 

The Cowpens Aledal. 

FebrI'AKY Hth, 17S'3. 

Dr Sii: I am induced to trouble you with 
a few lines for two reasons. The first through 
a reliance on your friendship, which I flatter 
myself would prompt you to serve me if in 
your Power, and second because you are the 
on'y gentleman in office in Philadelphia 
whose acquaintance would countenance such 
a request. 

The Honorable Congress after the action 
at Cowpeus thought proi)er to vote me a 
Medal for my conduct in tiiat aftair, and as 
such an acknowledgement of uiy countrie's 
approbation could not but be flattering to 
the mind of a soldier I Lave made frequent 
application to get, and have been as fre- 
quently disappointed, (tcu. Lincoln once 
informed me that nothing prevented its be- 
ing sent to me but the low situation of finan- 
ces, and J should have it as soon as there 
was money to be had to defray the Expense. 
Now sir, I not only wish you to expedite the 
making of it, but that you may also pay 
some attention to the manner in which it 
may be done, and with devices properly em- 
blematical of the aflair. I have so good an 
opinion of your taste and general knowledge 
as to wish to submit the luatter entirely to 
your discretion, the expense cannot be con- 
siderable, and I flatter myself the Financier 
on a proper api)lication would advance a sum 
sufticieut to defray it. especially to gratify 
the inclinations of a man whose principal 



aim it has been to obtain his Country's ap- 
plause to his conduct. 

I have the Honour, &c., &c., &c.. 

D. Morgan. 
To General Lincoln and Hon. John F. 
Meecek. 

Philadelphia, April 24tli, 1783. 

Dear General : Col. Woods disapointed me 
and left Town without an answer to the fa- 
vour which you did me the honor to write 
me some time since, aud the casual convey- 
ances which chance ofiers to your parts of 
the country have not compensated for his 
neglect. The change in our circumstances 
which the late pacification has made will 
now permit the Secretary of War to carry 
into immediate execution a Resolve of Con- 
gress directing him to furnish the medals 
voted to those whose Distinguished Merit 
has drawn that mark of applause and grati- 
tude from their Country during the late War. 
You may depend on my attention to yours, 
and if I have any talent at Design (which by 
the V. ay 1 doubt extremely) it shall be aided 
by tL ■ assistance of those whose imagination 
I esteem as elegant as correct, and I hope 
will eventually produce what ought to equal 
your expectation frotn the hands you have 
committed it to, if it does not meet your 
approbation. * * •' 

With sincere wishes for your health aud 
happiness, I am, dear General, your most 
obedient servant, John F. Mercer. 

General MoRG.iN. 



GEN. WASHINGTON FORWARDS THE MEDAL. 

New York, March 25, 1790. 

Sir: Yon will receive with this a Medal 
struck by order of the late Congress in com- 
memoration of your much approved conduct 
in the battle of Cowpens, and ])resented to 
you as a mark of the high sence which your 
Country entertains of your services on th;it 
occasion. 

This Medal was put into my hands by Mr. 
Jefl'erson, and it is with singular pleasure 
that I now transmit it to you. 

I am Sir, with very great esteem, your 
most obedt servt, Geo. Washington. 

General Morgan. 

The papers from which these selections 
are made were formerly bound in two vol- 
umes and in a very woi-n condition. Many 
of them had been mutilated by that class of 
enthusiasts who prefer a cut signature — re- 
garded as of no value by a collector of his- 
tory — in their, own possession to a complete 
document preserved elsewhere. This singu- 
larly historical letter of W'ashington was 
selected for such vandalism, but is restored 
by the insertion of a similar waif, and like 
ail the rest cleaned aud mounted by a skilful 
artist, for one who appreciates the value of 
the emanation from a brain that long since 



15 



has slept, but uot a mecbauical sign manual 
when detaolied from sucli siguificauce. 

Capt. Gorriuge, who has recently made so 
valuable and laborious a contribution to 
science in securing, engineering to its site 
and st'ttiug up in a tben unknown land the 
Obelisk of Thotmes III, recently mentioned 
to the compiler how one of his ship boys 
having climbed up and broken a piece from 
the nose of th,e Snhynx — in the fragments of 
which the ^*B»^have for ages built their 
nests — he, on learning the mutilation, di- 
rected hini to throw it into the sea, as a 
lesson more valuable than the results of the 
mutilation could be. 

jackson to morgan — a hkro of cowpens 
complains of injustice. 

- Senate Chamber U. States, ) 
Philadelphia, .January 20th, 179."}. ) 
Dear General: Since I last saw you in Phil- 
adelphia, which I think was in 1791, a gen- 
tleman has undertaken to write the history 
of Georgia. Your address to the Georgia 
Refugees, published at Pacolet, in South 
Carolina, being in my liands, I gave it to 
him amongst other material for insertion. 
The ?ame gentleman, a Mr. Longworthy, has 
applied to ma for other documents, and par- 
ticularly to know if any Georgians were at 
the Cowpens? None of the authors who 
have written have mentioned them in that 
action, nor did the account given by your 
aid-de-camp, Major Giles, to Cougre.es, notice 
them or any officer -belonging to the State; 
although the officers of the other States were 
generally nientioned and their militia ap- 
plauded. The Georgians have imputed tliis 
to the loss of your despatches, and not 
to any intention of yourself, who have 
always been one of their favorite com- 
manders, but they think hard of the 
silence respecting, them in that celebrated 
action, and which did you the honor of turn- 
ing the tide of affairs in favor of the United 
States. My object of writing at present is to 
request, if you see no Impropriety in it, your 
>;iviug a certificate under your hand of there 
being present three companies. The detach- 
ment was s.uall, but if you recollect you 
placed them in front of the whole, and they 
strictly obeyed your orders in keeping up a 
warm fire and gradually retreating. I could 
wish your expressing that they behaved as 
well as the other militia in the field. The 
officers commanding, if you choose to say 
anything of thera, were Major Cunningham 
and Captains Samuel Hammonds, George 
Walton and Joshua Inman, who all behaved 
well, and the latter was peculiarly service- 
able to you in advertising you of the Ene- 
mies approach and skirmishing with their 
advance. The detachment was under my 
immediate command and direction, altho 
I acf(>d also as Brigade Major to all the 
Militia present. It is with difficulty I men- 



tion myself, but having the honor of intro- 
ducing Major Mc.^rthur, tlie commander of 
the British Infantry, a prisoner on that occa- 
sion tnken by myself, and having run the 
utmost risque of my life in attempting to 
seize the colours of the 71st Regiment in the 
miist of it, on their attempt to form after 
they were broken, being saved by an exer- 
tion of Colonel Howards, and for which 
I had the honour of your thanks on the 
Field of Battle, I think it a duty to my chil- 
dren, as the History of the State is to be 
told, to have some insertion even of my con- 
duct in that well fouyht battle. You, Sir, 
were rendered immortal by the action, my 
ambition is to let my descendants and the 
citizens of Georgia know that I was present 
and contributed my mite to your glory. 
General Pickens has already certified to the 
requests of this letter fully, but whilst you 
are alive his certificate is not the best evi- 
dence, and your testimony will be grateful 
to the citizens of Georgia. I am sorry to 
break ifi on the important business of your 
present command, and should have waited 
until the next session of the Federal Legis- 
lature, when we hope to see you a member, 
but for the pressing request of Mr. Long- 
worthy to have the necessary papers. 

I am, dear General, with the highest es- 
teem and respect, yr old fellow soldier and 
most obed't serv't, Jas. Jackson. 

Major General Morgan. 

If you could favor me with an Answer 
previous to the rising of Congress, about the 
1st of March, it would highly oblige me. 



JACKSON TO morgan — GIVES DETAILS AS TO 
COWPENS. ;<«». 

Philadelphia. February 9th, l/:)^ 
Sir: I did myself the honor of writing you 
about a fortnight since, respecting the 
service of the Geoi-gians under you at Cow- 
pens;-, Lest two observations of mine in that 
letter should be understood^I beg leave to 
correct them. The- first was that I was 
Brigade Major to all the militia present. 1 
since recollect that you had militia from 
Virginia. The second that I had your 
thanks. I meant not by this your thanks in 
orders, but verbally for my conduct, whiclj 
a hundred living evidences could prove was 
creditable to myself, and deserving of your 
approbation. Col. McDowel now in Con- 
gress and who commanded the North Caro- 
lina militia on that day, is one of them. 
Gen. Pickens written testimony I informed 
you I was possessed of and under him it was 
i acted. A circumstance I will take the 
liberty of mentioning will serve to revive 
your memory. You had placed a sergeant 
over a cask of wine — after my return with 
General (then Major) Mc.\rthur and who I 
had left in custody of Col. Wa.shington. I 
came accross this man and found him dealing 
the wine out to all in his way. A wounded 



10 



militia raau at some distance requested me 
for a drop to revive him, which the 
sergeant refused on my application. I 
then ordered the men with me to drive 
liim otf and take posseSsion of the cask. He 
went and complained to you, and you came 
very angry, and I expected would have 
struck me. Feeling myself injured J ex- 
plained to you the conduct of the Fellow, 
and could not help adding that my conduct 
had deserved a better return, mentioning 
my leaving the British officer commanding 
their Infantry with the Colonel (Washing- 
ton.) It was then that you made the Ser- 
geant beg my pardon on his knees, and gave 
me your verbal thanks, which were repeated 
where we stopped at a small town on 
the borders of X. Carolina, and where we 
(General Pickens's Brigade) took the Pris- 
oners under charge and you parted from 
us. Major Giles mentioned at Charlotte 
on his tour to Congress my name as one 
who had distinguished himself, and con- 
sidering the responsibility of my station 
and the risks I ran on that day I had 
some right to expect to be named. I confess 
I i\'as chagrined when the account came. I 
after this ran the utmost risk of mj life at 
Torrens's wlieu the British crossed the Ca- 
tawba, and believe that in some measure, 
owing to my exertions with a' few olEcers 
and men, the slaughter was not so great as 
ito*^'' ise would have been. At Salisbury, 
where you bad reached, it was believed by 
Cieneral Pickens and yourself that I was 
killed. When I arrived I had the honor to 
be received by you and him with Friendship 
and satisfaction. At the Yadkin we parted, 
and I had the happiness after to have my 
'oi.duv't approbated by that great officer, 
Genl Greene, who appointed me to the com- 
mand of a State Legion. 

I have been thus particui^.r ''°st so .long a 
lapse of time should have made those circum- 
stances escape your memory and which not 
. being necessarily connected with the princi- 
pal events and only concerning an Individ- 
ual officer not likely to be retained. I had 
the honor however in 1791 to have the prin- 
lipal circumstances recognized by you. I 
shall leave this in about a fortnight for Sa- 
vannah. Should you not deem it proper to 
L'ive a certidcate as to myself I will be happy 
to have your approbation of the conduct of 
my countrymen. 

1 am Sir your most obedtservt, 
3 AS. Jackson. 

.Major General Morgax, Commanding. 

PICKENS TO MOKOAN — JACKSON'S MERIT. 

Dear General : Our friend General Jack- 
sou has showed me this letter. His merit 
cannot be forgotten by you. 

I am dear General Your most Obedt Servt, 

Ofh Feb 179."). Andw Pickens. 

Gen. MoKCiAN, 



General Pickens was then a member of 
Congress. The tone of General Jackson's 
last letter implies, in the neglect in replying 
to the former one, a sense of injustice, per- 
haps palliated by Gen. Morgan's engage- 
ments as commanding the forces in the field 
to sujipress the Whiskey Eebelliou. If not 
so excusable— and there is no record to show 
— he. had suffered in the same way by the 
delay of his Cowpens medal, as will be seen 
by his letter, February G, 1783. It will be 
conceded by all familiar with history and 
military affairs that there is no nobler trait 
in a commander than carefully to record the 
services of a subprdijJl^ and no more abject 
worship of seJfisfejtSlRBdnality than to ab- 
sorb the service aod-'^rtupitre^o the acknowl- 
edgment due tu those t\!i'; hate yitlcd to in- 
crease the creiiir ;^]vviiys gi<rejj to the suc- 
cessful leader. I'.uf. periraps,'tis there was an 
interval 01 Oiiiy twenty days between the 
letters,- it whs Ihu. in<tividua!ity of General 
JacksoQ that miidc him look for too early 
attentio^. 

MOEGA.V'S NEW COMMANDER — THE '^lARQUIS 
DE LAFAYETTE. ■„■ "V^. 

Richmond, 16th J^y, frSl. 

Dr Sir: 1 have attached to your command 
Major Nelson "s Coips and the Maryland Vol- 
unteer Dragoons. I beg leave to recommend 
the latter to. your attention. Most of them 
are men of fortune who make great sacrifices 
to serve the country. You will not there- 
fore i)Ut them upon the duties of orderlys or 
common camp dutys, which can be as well 
performed by the Continental Horse. In 
feverything else you will find them answer 
your expectation. As they are only to be 
subject to your orders when you have accom- 
plished the objects n^ntioncd in my letter 
of yesterday, or when it is decided that 
Tarleton intends Southerly, and is beyond 
the reach of being struck, you will be good 
enough to order their return to Head Quar- 
ters. It is my wish to dismiss them the mo- 
ment it is in my power. 

I am, Dr Sir, your obt servt, 

Lafayette. 

Brig. Gen. Morgan. 

LETTER of COL. JOHN EAGER HOWARD. 

Dear Sir : I am compelled to deny myself 
the pl2asure of seeing you agreeable to pro- 
mise. The General's Situatiou has detained 
us here some days and we find it difficult to 
leave him, as he will be entirely alone after 
we go away as Mr. Richmond has an appoint- 
ment; howevet, General Gist as well as my- 
self are under obligations to return to Balti- 
more without delay, which will oblige us to 
set off in the morning. Was I alone nothing 
should prevent me taking your house in my 
.route: as it is, the General with me, in a car- 
riage, which is at best a slow way of travel- 
ling, and in tlicse stoney roads so tedious 



17 



that I am oiit of temper with it, you must 
excuse me this time. The other promise I 
made yoii of visiting you whenever I came 
up the country as far as Frederick, you may 
most assuredly rely on, and in the meantime 
nothing could make me happier than seeing 
you in Baltimore. 

I am, Dear Sir, yours sincerely, 

J. E. IIOWAED. 

Gen'l Gates, (Travellers Rest, Virginia,) 
Sept. r2th, 1783, to Gen'l Moegan. 



THE HERO OF CAMDE.V — DEAD BEFORE COW- 
PENS. 

Camp at Greenwich, ) 
Near White Pi.ains, July 21, 1778. j 

Sir: Give me leave to give your Excel- 
lency aud Congress joy to be once more in 
Philadelphia, but more peculiarly ou the 
superiority America hath got over her Ene- 
mies. I hope, with the assistance of your 
good ally, you will be able to expel them 
entirely from the Continent & the American 
Coasts in a short time. I expect also that 
what Count d'Estaing's tedious passage has 
made us miss in Delaware may be taken in 
New York Bay, f)ud all their shippings and 
troops there will fall into your hands. Since 
a few days I am recovering j)retty fast from 
my late illness, and am actually much better 
& stronger than I had reason to expect not 
long ago. 

Your Excellencies multiplied Businesses 
aoes ■ ot permit me to trouble you any longer 
with the care of my letters for Eiiropo. As 
there is a King's Minister residing with 
those States, I will apply to him for the 
future for that purpose. I only request you 
to send him the enclosed. I have the honor 
to be, with great resj)ect, 

Your Excellency's 

Most Obedient and very 
humble servant, 

The Baron de Kale. 

His Excellency, Henry Laurens 

President of Congress. 

Notes. 

The report of the battle of Cowpens, given 
above, was printed in a New Jersey news- 
paper at the time, and is the only one of the 
foregoing papers of which th9i?,ompiler, Mr. 
Myers, has not the original. 

Although the memory of Lord Cornwallis 
was darkened by those charges of cruelty for 
which the leajjer at least of an invading 
army is often made unjustly responsible, he 
may be considered the most efficient of the 
British generals who served in America in 
that war excepting, perhaps. Sir Guy 
Carleton. Subsequently as Governor General 
of the East Indies, he was the conqueror of 
Tippoo Sahib, then Lord Lieutenant of 
Ireland, dying as Governor General of India 
in 1805. His controversy with Sir Henry 
Clinton as to the causes of his failure in 



America occupied much of the attention of 
Parliament, and remains to us in several con- 
flicting publicatious but throwing much 
light on this period. 

Gen. Tarleton sat for Liverpool in Parlia- 
ment for twenty-two years and was Gover- 
nor of Berwick, also, dying in 1833. His ap- 
pearance is familiar to collec^tors of history in 
the large mezzotint engraving of his portrait 
by Sir Joshua Reynolds, representing him as 
a dashing cavalry officer with his foot raised 
ou a cariU'ju while adjusting his boot top, a 
position severely criticised, as exposing the 
best part of his person, by Col. deChamilly, a 
partisan officer with whom he quarrelled on 
technical matters, recorded in a pamphlet of 
the time. 

Col. John Eager Howard was already a 
veteran at this time, having seen constaut 
service from the outbreak of the war. He 
was subsequently governor of Maryland aud 
senator in Congress, declining more honors 
than he accepted, and greatly esteemed he 
died in 1827. His wife was the daughter of 
Chief Justice Chew, around whose house he 
had bravely fought at Germantown, when it 
was to that battle like Uougomont at Water- 
loo. 

Col. William Aueustine Washington was 
the son of Bailey Washington, of Virginia. 
He also was a distinguished officer from the 
commencement of the struggle to its close, 
largely in the South. At Eutaw Springs he 
was captured — his horse having been killed 
under him — and not. released until the close 
of the war. Marrying and settling in 
Charleston, he declined to be a candidate for, 
Govt-rnor, as the invaluable Dr. Lossiug has 
recorded, "because he could not m&k^ a 
speech," a modesty which often accompanies 
courage. It is to be regretted that no letter 
of his is found in this transaction, which 
showed his great usefulness, to illustrate how 
he expressed himself with the pen as well as 
with the sword. 

Governor John Rutledge, like many of 
his contemporaries in South C:troliua, was 
educated to the law in the Temple, at Lou- 
don. Rsturniug in 17()1, he was early en- 
tered in the contest ou the Colonial side. 
He was a member of the First Continental 
Congress in 1774, and two years after ap- 
pointed Prpsidcnt and Commander-in-chief 
of the Colony. Like many of those engaged 
with him, he was a member of the more 
privileged class, and at first declined to ac- 
cept the new Corsstitution as too Democratic, 
but finally yielded in 1779 aud became 
Governor with almost unrestricted trust, 
taking the field at the head of the militia, 
and managing afiairs with ability until the 
fall of Charleston circumscribed his control. 
After the independence he was Judge of both 
the Court of Chancery and Supreme Courts 
of the United States, "dying in 1800. 






















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